GLOUCESTER, MA | In the March issue of the Tag & Label Mfrs. Inst. (TLMI) newsletter, chairman Frank Gerace reported on a meeting he and president Frank Sablone had with a group of trade associations from around the world. Designated “L8,” the group comprises LATMA (Australia), PEIAC (China), FINAT (Europe), JFLP (Japan), ABIEA (Brazil), LMAI (India), SALMA (New Zealand), and TLMI.

The group agreed to work on a statement concerning global sustainability and has since issued a written proclamation explaining how the leading label associations are moving forward in a positive way to support sustainability and environmental best practices.

The group agreed to establish a web-based framework for the exchange of association information, regional market data, and general information about the narrow web industry. The goal is to have this running within six months.

It was also agreed L8 would establish a global young label leaders' network to promote the sharing of ideas and information among this segment of the joint memberships. The creation of a global standards manual was discussed, and the committee agreed the World Label judging process and committee will be placed under the auspices of the L8 group.

The next L8 meeting will be held during Labelexpo Americas 2010, scheduled for September 14-16 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.